The Arsenal boss has always maintained he would be prepared to allow the pair to leave for nothing at the end of their contracts next summer.

But now he has changed his stance on the wantaway pair.

Asked if he had imposed a deadline for them to sign new deals, Wenger said: “No not at the moment.

“Once you are in our kind of situation we have envisaged every kind of solution.”

But asked if that means they could leave in January he said: “Yes, it’s possible.”

Both men have been out of form this season with Sanchez suffering an extra blow after failing to qualify for the World Cup with Chile this week following the collapse of a £60m move to Manchester City in the summer.

Arsenal’s likely line-up to face Watford away

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“Yes, it’s possible”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Wenger insists he has still not given up hope that both men will sign new deals and stay beyond the summer.

He said: “I always said that the fact that we didn’t find an agreement last year doesn’t mean the player will necessarily leave.

“Both players look happy here and overall I hope that the situation can be turned around.

“At the moment, we are not close enough to announce anything.”

Sanchez and Ozil’s contract situation has dragged on for more than a year.

Meanwhile, Wenger admits he has problems at the back as well with Shkodran Mustafi now ruled out for six weeks after suffering a thigh injury on Germany duty.

The Arsenal manager added: “I don’t think he will be back until the next international break.”

With Laurent Koscielny facing a fitness test today, the Gunners could well be short in defence for tomorrow’s trip to Watford.